Just wanted to update that I found the right page and successfully recertified! Thanks everyone for the help. It's a huge relief. I set a recurring reminder on my phone for Sunday mornings too so I don't forget going forward.

As someone who went through this same confusion when I first started claiming benefits, I'd recommend also signing up for text alerts if NY offers them - some states do this to remind you about certification deadlines. Also, if you're ever traveling or won't have internet access during your certification window, you can usually call ahead to certify by phone. The automated phone system is actually pretty straightforward once you get used to it. Keep your Social Security number and PIN handy when you call. Good luck with your benefits!

Hey Samantha! You're definitely not too late - NY gives you a full year from your layoff date to file, so you still have until October to apply. I went through something similar last year and the stress is real, but you haven't missed your window! File online at labor.ny.gov as soon as you can. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment info from your last job (dates, employer contact info, reason for separation). While you can't get benefits for the weeks you didn't file, getting started now will help with those bills going forward. The weekly benefit amount is based on your past wages, so even starting late you should still get a decent amount. Don't let the regret about waiting stop you from getting help now - just focus on moving forward and getting that claim filed today if possible!

I was in almost the exact same situation as you! Got laid off in September and waited until December to file because I kept thinking I'd find something soon. The regret about those missed months was eating at me, but honestly once I got my first unemployment payment it was such a relief to finally have some income coming in. The online application at labor.ny.gov is pretty straightforward - took me about 20 minutes. Make sure you have your last employer's info handy and be prepared to do weekly certifications every Sunday. Also, start keeping a log of your job search activities right away because they require proof that you're actively looking. I used a simple spreadsheet with company names, positions applied for, and dates. The weekly benefit really does help with bills even if it's not your full salary. Don't wait any longer - file today!

Another thing that helped me was downloading the payment history as a PDF or CSV file if that option is available in your account - sometimes the exported version is clearer than trying to read it on the website. You can usually find an export/download button somewhere on the payment history page. This way you have a backup copy for your records too, which is handy during tax season. If you're still having trouble after trying all these suggestions, you might want to call the NYS DOL customer service line early in the morning (like right at 8am when they open) - you'll have a better chance of getting through before the phone lines get jammed.

I just went through this exact same situation a few weeks ago! One thing that really helped me was checking if there's a "Summary" or "Account Overview" section in your my.ny.gov portal - sometimes it shows your last payment date right on the main dashboard without having to dig through all the payment history details. Also, if you received direct deposit, the payment date in your NYS account should match pretty closely to when it actually showed up in your bank account (usually 1-2 business days later). For tax purposes, definitely use the "Date Paid" field as others mentioned - that's the date the IRS cares about, not when you certified for that particular week.

I've been working 1099 gigs while on unemployment for about 6 months now and want to emphasize something really important - always err on the side of over-reporting rather than under-reporting. I made the mistake early on of rounding down my earnings thinking it wouldn't matter much, but during a phone interview with NYS Department of Labor they asked very specific questions about my work hours and payments. Luckily I had good records and could explain the discrepancies, but it was stressful. Now I report every single dollar, even if it's $15 for a small task that took 30 minutes. Also, keep copies of all your 1099 forms when you receive them in January - NYS Department of Labor cross-references these with your reported earnings. The system is definitely set up to catch inconsistencies, so accuracy is everything. On the positive side, having that steady part-time income while job searching really reduced my financial stress and actually made me more confident in interviews because I wasn't desperate. Just be meticulous with your record-keeping and you'll be fine!

I haven't seen anybody mention how to certify the amount since the website only ask questions to answer with either yes or no and there is no place to put any gross income how do you guy's do it

Same question here! I'm doing some gig work and wasn't sure how to report it properly on my weekly claims.

For gig work, you need to report ALL earnings for the week you actually received payment, not when you did the work. So if you did DoorDash or Uber on Monday but got paid Friday, report it for that Friday's claim week. NYS DOL counts gross earnings before any expenses or taxes. I learned this the hard way when I got an overpayment notice because I wasn't reporting my gig earnings correctly. The key is being super accurate about when you actually received the money in your account.